China to allow gene-edited crops in push for food security

A New York judge struck down the state's mask mandate on Monday, one week before it was due to expire, ruling the governor overstepped her authority in imposing a rule that needed to have been passed by the state legislature.

Germany on Monday extended its current pandemic measures as the experts panel appointed by the government has warned the fast spreading Omicron coronavirus variant could bring critical infrastructure in Europe's biggest economy to a breaking point.

Italy reported 77 696 COVID-19 related cases on Monday, against 138 860 the day before, the health ministry said, while the number of deaths rose to 352 from 227.

Italy's parliament began voting on Monday for a new head of state, with Prime Minister Mario Draghi among the most prominent candidates in a wide-open contest which will be closely monitored by financial markets.

The United Arab Emirates intercepted and destroyed two Houthi ballistic missiles targetting the Gulf country on Monday with no casualties, its Defence Ministry said, following a deadly attack here a week earlier.

Russia will face severe economic sanctions if it installs a puppet regime in Ukraine, a senior UK minister said on Sunday after Britain accused the Kremlin of seeking to install a pro-Russian leader there.

The United States (US) House probe of the deadly assault on the Capitol will share with federal prosecutors any evidence of potential crimes aimed at pushing phony Republican electors in states won by Democratic President Joe Biden, the committee's chairman said on Sunday.

Ukrainian former lawmaker Yevhen Murayev, who Britain named this weekend as a potential candidate chosen by the Kremlin to lead Ukraine after a military offensive, said in a Facebook post that the country needs new leaders.

US President Joe Biden met with his national security team, including National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan and Counselor Steve Ricchetti on Saturday (January 22) at the Camp David presidential retreat to discuss "continued Russian aggressive actions toward Ukraine", the White House said.

Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador on Saturday reassured Mexicans that he was in good health following an overnight hospital stay for a cardiac catheterization procedure as part of a regular check-up.

A 1,500-acre fire near the coastal community of Big Sur, California triggered evacuations and closed part of a major highway, state and local officials said on Saturday.

Italy reported 171 263 COVID-19 related cases on Saturday, against 179 106 the day before, the health ministry said, while the number of one-day deaths fell to 333 from 373.

Indian doctors and health experts on Saturday said the COVID-19 situation across the country is still grim and it will take weeks to witness how severe the latest wave driven by the Omicron variant will be.

 At least seven people were killed and over 15 injured when a large fire broke out in a multi-storey residential building in India's financial capital Mumbai on Saturday, authorities said.

China's Permanent Mission to the United Nations on Thursday launched the Group of Friends of the Global Development Initiative (GDI).

Two New York City police officers responding to a domestic violence call were shot on Friday and are in critical condition, according to the police department.

Two New York City police officers were shot on Friday and are in critical condition, according to the police department.

NATO members Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania will provide Ukraine with US-made anti-armour and anti-aircraft missiles, their defence ministers said in a joint statement on Friday evening.

UN chief Antonio Guterres, lamenting a failure of global governance, urged the world to go into emergency mode to tackle COVID-19, the climate crisis and global finance reform, put humanity at the centre of technology and bring peace.

Three children and more than 60 adults are reported to have been killed in air strikes in Yemen on Friday, Save the Children said, after a Reuters witness said several people including African migrants were killed in a raid in Saada province.

China and Russia delayed a US bid to impose UN sanctions on five North Koreans on Thursday, diplomats said, as Pyongyang suggested it may resume tests of nuclear weapons and long-range missiles.

US President Joe Biden's public approval rating fell to the lowest level of his presidency this week as Americans appeared exhausted by the COVID-19 pandemic and its economic toll, according to the latest Reuters/Ipsos opinion poll.

More ships and aircraft carrying aid are due to arrive in Tonga in coming days as the international community responds to calls for urgent assistance from the Pacific island nation following a devastating volcanic eruption and tsunami.

Spain has sent warships to join NATO naval forces in the Mediterranean and the Black Sea as tension in the region rises over the Russian military build-up on the Ukrainian border, Defence Minister Margarita Robles said on Thursday.

A bomb blast ripped through a crowded market in eastern Pakistan on Thursday, killing three people and wounding over 20, police said.

North Korea would bolster its defences against the United States and consider restarting "all temporally-suspended activities," state media KCNA reported on Thursday, an apparent reference to a self-imposed moratorium on testing its nuclear bombs and long-range missiles.

Tongans could finally make phone contact with their families and the outside world on Thursday five days after a massive volcanic eruption and tsunami completely cut off the Pacific island nation.

US President Joe Biden predicted on Wednesday that Russian President Vladimir Putin will make a military move into Ukraine but said a full-scale invasion would trigger a massive response that would be costly for Russia and its economy.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Wednesday dismissed calls to resign from opponents and some of his own lawmakers, fighting to save his premiership amid a deepening revolt inside his party over a series of lockdown parties in Downing Street.

The European Union's border and coast guard agency needs to make its operational plans more transparent and carry out more rigorous migrant screening procedures, especially for minors